In just a few months, it will have been seven years since the launch of the Nintendo Switch (review). And while we have had the Switch OLED bestowed to us, gamers worldwide have been waiting for the second-gen Nintendo Switch. Now, if all goes well, the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to be held sometime this year. This upcoming gaming console will bring many upgrades to the next-gen Switch console.
So far, many whispers have been heard within the industry on what the Nintendo Switch 2 could feature. Let’s check out everything we know about the upcoming handheld and what upgrades to expect over the previous-gen Switch.
Nintendo Switch 2: Release Date
Getting right into it, we discuss when to expect the Nintendo Switch 2 release. Recently, the release date of Nintendo’s next-generation console might have been leaked at CES 2024. According to the press release of an AI company, Altec Lansing, the launch of Nintendo Switch 2 coincides with the launch of its Gameshark AI software.
The release date of the Nintendo Switch is now expected to be September 2024. Reportedly, development kits of the Switch 2 have already been sent to various game development companies, which is something we’ve heard before as well.
However, do note that certain insiders have claimed that the leaked release date of Nintendo Switch 2 is just “guesswork.” So, things are not concrete for now, and that will be the case until Nintendo itself announces the release date. Rest assured, we will keep updating this space as we get more info.
Going by the announcement date of the first-gen Switch, the handheld launched globally around 4 months after its initial unveiling. When Nintendo announced the newer Switch OLED with a better screen, the device launched 4 months later.
So, if September 2024 is the expected release date for Nintendo’s Switch 2, we could hear something from the company sometime around April or May 2024. If no official announcements are made by then, September 2024 could be the expected announcement date for Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2: Pricing (Expected)
Nintendo launched the original Switch at $299. A few years later, the newer and premium OLED variant was launched at $349. A simple $50 bump for an OLED screen was acceptable, although the internal specifications & in-game performance remained the same. At some point in 2022, we also heard about a ‘Nintendo Switch Pro‘ that could be coming out.
But then, Digital Foundry claimed Nintendo had axed the existence of a Pro model in favor of a full-on generational upgrade with major research & development resources assigned to it.
Nintendo doesn’t go ‘over the top’ when it comes to pricing. While games are expensive, the gaming consoles themselves (whether from Sony, Nintendo, or Microsoft) are sold at relatively affordable prices. So, we expect the Nintendo Switch 2 to cost between $349 to $449.
Some rumors suggest the pricing could be upwards of $400. The rumors also state two different Switch 2 variants are being worked on. One is reportedly going to be a digital-only variant, so games will have to be downloaded over the internet.
The other variant is expected to have support for physical cartridges. If Nintendo does launch two variants, the Switch 2 lineup will be similar to how Sony sells its PS5 gaming consoles, with both disc and digital versions available to purchase.
Bigger gaming consoles with advanced computing capabilities, such as Xbox Series S or PS5 Digital, are sold near the $400 price point. But despite the existence of those consoles, the Nintendo Switch 2 will have an exclusive fan following, and it will sell like hotcakes. Hopefully, the final price will not go above $400.
Hopefully, the final price does not go above $400. I expect Nintendo to increase the price from $299 (1st gen). The original Switch console had a very basic 720p display.
While the original Switch was featureful in various ways, the hardware was mid-range at best. All that has changed since Nintendo launched the Switch OLED, with a much more premium display. Since Nintendo Switch 2 will come with various upgrades, the aforementioned price range is a decent assumption for the next-gen console. Start saving up now!
Nintendo Switch 2: Display
A vibrant OLED display is one of the major things everyone wants in the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Overall, expect to see a slightly improved display similar to Nintendo’s high-end OLED version of the Switch. Also, even if the new Switch 2 is 720p, I would not be too bothered, given the PPI (pixels per inch) count will be good enough anyway.
Possibilities of major display upgrades on the Switch 2 include a 120Hz refresh rate, a brighter display, and an upgrade to 900p/1080p resolution, providing even sharper clarity. An OLED panel should be there on the Switch 2.
Considering how modern handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally and Legion Go pack refresh rates of 120 and 144Hz, respectively, and even an OLED for ROG, an updated display will be greatly appreciated by fans worldwide.
But since nothing is set in stone yet, we could see Nintendo use a high-quality LCD panel for Switch 2. A recent VGC report suggests exactly this. The sources claim Nintendo will include an LCD panel instead of an OLED panel on the Switch 2. This is due to various other upgrades being brought to the next-gen console.
If this is the case, a more premium OLED variant of Switch 2 could also launch later on. Compared to the non-OLED variant, the new Switch came with a breathtaking upgrade to the overall display quality and specifications.
The display on the Nintendo Switch OLED was still of 720p resolution. But, this new display proved itself to be a major step up with its deep contrast, highly improved colors, and smoother refresh rate of 90Hz.
The original Nintendo Switch (1st generation) console has puny display specs when compared to the new OLED model. The 1st-gen Switch is almost 7 years old, so I do not expect Switch 2 to come with outdated display specifications. Even if Switch 2 gets an LCD panel, it should be a high-quality IPS panel with much better specifications than the 1st-generation Switch.
Nintendo Switch 2: Design & Evolved Features
Nintendo Switch 2 should feature a brand-new design, given the age of older consoles. Previously, a leak centering around new Joy-Con controllers surfaced, which indicated that Switch 2 will have an updated controller design.
The original Switch has long suffered from stick-drift issues, which makes the joysticks unusable if the user faces the issue. The new Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to feature a more reliable controller design, possibly preventing this issue from happening. You can have a look at the controller design patent filed by Nintendo below.
Reportedly, the Nintendo Switch 2 dev kits that have been dispatched to game developers, as per leaks, feature a modular design similar to the original model. Hence, the same versatility that is a docked mode, TV mode, and portable handheld mode is expected with the Nintendo Switch 2.
Recommended Articles
By the way, it is confirmed that users will sign in with the same Nintendo account as the previous console on Nintendo Switch 2. This will definitely create a smooth transition for any previous user making the leap to the second-gen Switch.
Nintendo Switch 2: Specifications & Next-Gen Experiences
We previously heard that Switch 2 will feature PS5-level visuals and performance. The leaker then stated that its source had seen Final Fantasy 7 running on the Nintendo Switch 2 with impressive visual quality. Here, we speculated that Switch 2 could feature PS5-level visuals, but perhaps not at the same level of fidelity.
But given the portable form factor it is limited to, it is tough to expect 4K-level gaming from the next Switch. Despite all this, the new console should feature highly improved graphics. Moreover, a higher resolution is achievable through AI upscaling too, notably a rumored feature.
Reportedly, the company has filed a patent for AI-based upscaling (via: freepatentsonline.com) very recently. Below are the possible specifications of Nintendo Switch 2, as per various leaks. Many have stated that the console was revealed to a selective crowd back at Gamescom 2023.
- Feature a new Nvidia-based chip with improved performance and efficiency. Speculation states this will be an Nvidia T239 chip, but the final specs have not been confirmed.
- Switch 2 will feature a new Nvidia-based processor with improved performance and efficiency. Speculations suggest that it will be an Nvidia T239 chip, but the final specifications have not been confirmed.
- Support for Nvidia DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). For those unaware, this tech is for upscaling the render resolution to a higher quality (such as 720p to 1080p)
- Backward compatibility was reportedly tested on a few titles. But, it is still unclear whether or not the new console will feature it.
- Capable of playing Unreal Engine 5 titles with Matrix Awakens demo having been tested.
- Nintendo’s iconic Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was reportedly showcased at Gamescom 2023. Reportedly, this version featured higher graphics quality.
Currently, various AAA titles exist for the Nintendo Switch. We already have Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, Doom (2016), and Doom Eternal, along with several other AAA games that launched on the previous console. It is crazy how far the original Switch can go, given its age.
The optimization from developers and scaled-down graphics from PC/PlayStation/Xbox versions also make this experience on a handheld possible.
New advancements, including the rumored upgraded chip, will result in a major boost in visual fidelity of new gaming experiences on Nintendo Switch 2. Games from Nintendo, such as Super Mario, Pokemon, and perhaps a new Zelda game, will take the most advantage of the Switch 2’s updated internals. It will also be exciting to see new multiplayer experiences with better visuals coming to the Switch 2, along with new innovative AR experiences.
The storage should be upgraded greatly on the new Nintendo Switch since the sizes of games have increased dramatically. We could also see expandable storage support on the Switch 2, as we saw on the Switch 1.
Speaking of the battery, Nintendo has offered the same 9 hours of battery on its original Switch and the OLED variant. But, during heavy gaming scenarios, the battery life drops significantly. The portable form factor of the Switch does not allow the company to put a massive battery in there. In some way, a balance will have to be achieved. Unfortunately, there is little word on that, so we will have to wait and see.
Nintendo Switch 2: Future of Handheld Gaming?
When the Nintendo Switch 2 comes out, it could very well define the future of handheld gaming in the market. After reviewing the ROG Ally and testing out the original Switch, this handheld felt like a classy device with a unique vibe, thanks to Nintendo’s ecosystem of games and unique features.
When I expect the Switch 2 to be the future, I’m not trying to say it will be capable of higher res and graphics than the most powerful handhelds of today. Instead, I’m pointing out how this is not just a gaming device but an all-around entertainment system with lots of fun experiences to try with your family and friends. Many already feel like the original Switch is the best handheld console.
The Nintendo Switch 2 could only level things up but time will tell. We will update you with all the latest information regarding the Switch 2 as it comes out, so stay tuned.
What do you personally expect from the new Nintendo Switch? Will you be upgrading to it? Let us know in the comments below.
